U.S. needs Ukraine's absolute victory in the war: Expert's opinion
President of the United States, Joe Biden (Photo: Getty Images)
The United States has not yet determined whether a complete victory for Ukraine in the war with Russia is necessary. Additionally, there is no precise vision in Washington regarding the war's end, highlighted in the article by RBC-Ukraine titled "What Ukraine expects from the U.S., and will Kyiv lose an ally after the elections."
Alyona Hetmanchuk, Director of the New Europe Center, acknowledges in a conversation with RBC-Ukraine that the so-called "negotiated peace" between Ukraine and Russia remains the most optimal scenario for the United States.
There is still no answer to the question of whether Washington's general stance anticipates ending the war in a 'negotiated peace' or 'negotiated settlement' format, which inherently involves some concessions from the Ukrainian side. There are many indications that this is the most optimal scenario for them, evidenced by their calibrated, measured support," she mentioned.
According to the expert, for Biden's presidential campaign, it's not necessarily crucial for Ukraine to achieve an absolute victory as Ukrainians envision it for his future presidential campaign. Hetmanchuk believes that ceasing hostilities and bloodshed would be sufficient and could be "marketed" to the electorate.
Biden, who won the elections with a promise to end wars (and barely managed to do so in Afghanistan), is now attempting to balance support for Ukraine and avoiding further escalation, potentially even a World War Three, especially involving nuclear weapons. Additionally, as Hetmanchuk points out, American voters' concerns about whether to continue supporting Ukraine and whether China (rather than Russia) is the main threat to the U.S. also play a role.
The question of victory for Ukraine
Ukrainian authorities have long established criteria for victory in the war with Russia. The primary standard remains the restoration of Ukraine's administrative borders as of 1991 and returning all occupied territories.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects the possibility of negotiations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian leader's primary condition is the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
